ART GARFUNKEL: "Scissors Cut"

Original released on LP Columbia FC 37392

(US, April 1981)

After the disappointment of "Fate for Breakfast", Art Garfunkel returned to old friends for his fifth solo album, co-producing with Roy Halee, who had worked with Simon & Garfunkel and on Garfunkel's debut album, "Angel Clare", and singing several songs written by Jimmy Webb, who had written nearly all the songs on Garfunkel's third album, "Watermark". But though "Scissors Cut" came closer to the sound of a good Garfunkel album, material remained a problem. "A Heart in New York," the LP's sole American chart single, was second-rate, as were many of the other compositions, Garfunkel scored a surprise number one hit in Great Britain with the Mike Batt-written and produced "Bright Eyes," the theme from the movie "Watership Down", but that wasn't enough to make the album on the whole a success, Garfunkel then re-teamed with Paul Simon for a world concert tour, and it was five years before he was back in record stores with the seasonal release "The Animals' Christmas" and nearly seven years before his next regular solo album, "Lefty". (William Ruhlmann in AllMusic)

MEN AT WORK: "Business As Usual"

Original released on LP CBS SBP 237700

(AUSTRALIA 1981, November 9)

"Business as Usual" became a surprise international hit on the basis of "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under," two excellent singles that merged straight-ahead pop/rock hooks with a quirky new wave production and an offbeat sense of humor. Colin Hay's keening vocals uncannily recall Sting, and the band's rhythmic pulse and phased guitars also bring to mind a bar band version of the Police. And that helps make the remainder of "Business as Usual" enjoyable. There's a fair amount of filler on the record, but "Be Good Johnny," "I Can See It in Your Eyes," and "Down by the Sea" are all fine new wave pop songs, making "Business as Usual" one of the more enjoyable mainstream-oriented efforts of the era. (Stephen Erlewine in AllMusic)

MARIANNE FAITHFULL: "Dangerous Acquaintances"

Original released on LP Island ILPS 9648

(UK, October 1981)

The BEATLES' British EPs Collection

EP1. Parlophone GEP 8882 (UK 1963, July 12)

EP2. Parlophone GEP 8880 (UK 1963, September 6)

EP3. Parlophone GEP 8883 (UK 1963, November 1)

EP4. Parlophone GEP 8891 (UK 1964, Fébruary 7)

EP5. Parlophone GEP 8913 (UK 1964, June 19)

EP6. Parlophone GEP 8920 (UK 1964, November 6)

EP7. Parlophone GEP 8924 (UK 1964, November 6)

EP8. Parlophone GEP 8931 (UK 1965, April 6)

EP9. Parlophone GEP 8938 (UK 1965, June 4)

EP10. Parlophone GEP 8946 (UK 1965, December 6)

EP11. Parlophone GEP 8948 (UK 1966, March 4)

EP12. Parlophone GEP 8952 (UK 1966, July 8)

EP13. Parlophone MMT/SMMT1 (UK 1967, December 8)

EP14. Apple SGE1 (UK 1981, December 7)